Dunkirk Man Faces Burglary Charges

DUNKIRK – City of Dunkirk police capped a lengthy investigation into daytime residential burglaries in the city with the arrest of a 35-year-old man late Wednesday afternoon.

On Wednesday, police responded to investigate a house burglary in the 300 block of Dove Street. During the investigation, police began to identify a suspect and a search of the vicinity was conducted.

When plainclothes officers identified the suspect, Gualberto Gonzalez, of 322 Canary St., Dunkirk, they attempted to stop and question him, but Gonzalez fled on foot.

A perimeter was set up by marked patrol units and undercover officers, with assistance from the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office and K-9 unit.

Just before 6 p.m., Gonzalez was spotted attempting to climb the rear stairs to his second-floor apartment, where he was detained for investigation.

Police located evidence outside his apartment door linking him to several burglaries already under investigation. After further investigation and interrogation by detectives and uniformed officers, Gonzalez confessed to two burglaries, the Dove Street burglary Wednesday and another from last week which occurred on West Fourth Street.

Police allege a search of the suspect’s apartment led to the discovery of large amounts of stolen property and property suspected to be stolen.

Gonzalez was charged with four felonies: second-degree burglary, third-degree criminal mischief, third-degree grand larceny, fourth-degree grand larceny and a misdemeanor, fourth-degree criminal mischief related to the two burglaries to which he confessed.

He was held without bail and Dunkirk police are continuing to investigate the original of additional property which may link him to other recent house burglaries. Additional charges are expected to be filed.